Happy Birthday McLayne!

The day after McLayne's birthday we were in the doctors office because she had one horrible cough. The nurse asks her the questions now, What are you here for today, How old are you? When she said "I'm seven" it took me a moment to register it, SEVEN...How did seven years go so quick, everyone told me it would happen but I couldn't imagine how true that would be.
Everyday she amazes me, she is busy creating something from the moment her feet hit the floor in the morning. She is so her dad, in looks and personality. She is calculated and quiet and always has a plan for everything. I looked at her and Marley and realized their little baby checks are gone, they have gotten taller and look like little girls now, Oh I miss them being little..but not the sleepless night part.
A girls only jewelry making party is a perfect celebration of turning 7!
Happy Birthday McLayne!

Half Way!

We have officially made it to the halfway mark. Most people would be jumping for joy, but I'm thinking of how much can happen in another two months. In the past two months our baby turned 5, I turned another year older, another Christmas, our 11 year anniversary and a New Year. All that said, it is the small things that I know T will have missed; Marley turning 5 and asking when she gets to ride the bus to Kindergarten, McLayne becoming the most amazing reader, them both coming down the steps Christmas morning so excited and tucking them in every night (he has always loved that). Life is hard without T home, but I can't imagine how he feels.. seeing them on Christmas morning via web cam, he simply said "they are so big!". We are counting down the days with a little help from our candy jars, the only time my kids will be happy when all the candy is gone! Counting my blessings this New Year, I have an amazing family and friends and I'm so thankful to have them!

5 Years Ago..

5 years ago my beautiful baby girl, Marley, was born. She was a bit of a trouble maker while I was pregnant..I spent many days in the hospital months before thinking she would make an earlier entrance. Everyone who has meet her knows she is my "wild" child, but in a good way of course. She is very outgoing and a friend to all. It is hard for me to believe that 5 years have past since she arrived, it has gone to fast for me. She often asks me what she was like as a baby; sweet, beautiful and always funny! She has brought so many smiles to our entire family, we are blessed to have her.
Happy Birthday Marley!

Saying Goodbye, Again.

Once again we are preparing for T to go on a very long trip. I haven't really told the girls the specifics yet, I hate that moment when Marley says "No, I don't want him to go". Until months ago they didn't really know what he did, but I decided it was time for them to be told so that they could understand why it is important that he goes away.
You know I can't tell what I told them, but I had an opportunity to show them first hand how their dad impacted someone else's life, McLayne said "my dad is cool". I have to admit, he is pretty cool. Marley's reaction was a little different, she asked "does my dad swing from vines like tarzan?" I said not exactly, but anything is possible.
I know Terry will miss them as much as we miss him, when he comes back school will be at its end and our little girls will have changed. A friend asked me the other day, doesn't it suck when he is gone? I said of course, but I'm very proud of him and our family. So our first few weeks apart there will be many tears, lots of hugs and extra love for my girls. Saying goodbye never gets easier!

Marley's First Soccer Game

Marley's 1st soccer game was today. All the kids had a great time, would fall down and get right back up without batting an eye - an awesome group of kids! Marley has her dad's love of sports and she must have gotten her talent from him too! The pics say it all:)

Marley starts Preschool

Marley didn't make the cut off for K this year, so off for another year of preschool. She loves school, she is my social butterfly. At the airport a few weeks ago a woman talked to Marley and M and a few minutes later she said "I can tell who your wild child is". Marley is Marley is what I have always said about her. From the moment she knew how to act silly she wanted to make everyone laugh...and she still does. Mark my words (and all those people who know her can vouch)...she will be the one that T and I are tracking down in high school. She has so much personality, she makes me smile every morning when she crawls into our bed and taps me on the nose.
Have fun at school baby girl!

First School Bus Ride

McLayne is starting 1st grade today. Last year she went to a private kindergarten, so this year is her first year to be able to ride the school bus. At first she said she wasn't going to ride it, but by the end of the summer she is excited to ride it, but asks why there are no seat belts or booster seats and why so many kids can share a seat....same questions I wonder! She was very excited today, the rain but a damper on walking to the stop, so we sat in the car and watched for the bus to arrive. I got a little teary when I saw her walk on, my friend and I looked at each other and quickly looked away because we both knew the tears were coming on. She got on and waved from the bus, so brave!
She is ready, after many years of being shy and cautious she has now much more outgoing. I'm happy she is a little stand offish, it definitely helps her in choose the right friends.
I'm a little scared for her today, a big school, a big classroom...wish I could peer in the window and see how she is doing. I'm not going to follow the school bus to school today either, even though I secretly want to.
Good Luck today M!